Chair, SOAN

Applications and nominations are invited for the position of Chair in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology. The appointment will be for five years, effective July 1, 2025, and is renewable for a second term of up to five years. An earlier start date may be considered by mutual agreement.

Candidates must be tenured faculty members in the University of Guelph and should have some understanding of the department and the disciplinary sub-fields or ‘areas’ that comprise the teaching and research programs. The successful candidate will possess leadership and management capabilities that serve the needs of the department, college and university, as well as the ability to appreciate and provide balanced leadership across scholarly areas, interdisciplinary programs, and stakeholder groups. An established record of teaching, scholarship and service is also a necessary condition of the appointment. A record of sustained successful involvement at college and university levels would be an asset. An understanding and commitment to principles of Indigeneity, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is vital.

In collaboration with departmental colleagues, the Chair will be expected to guide the future direction and positioning of the department. The Chair will be expected to maintain and communicate a sense of direction; support individual members of the department through mentoring and facilitation; to act as a responsible advocate for the department; to encourage collegiality and respect for a range of career paths and different forms and fields of scholarship; to foster values of fairness, excellence and collaboration; and to maintain a sense of pride, achievement and community among all members (students, staff and faculty) of the department. The Chair has overall responsibility that Department practices and processes are formulated, promulgated and followed, that resources are properly allocated, and that college and university policies and procedures are followed. The successful candidate will be able to appoint an Associate Chair from within the department to support their work.

The University of Guelph resides on the traditional lands and territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee and Huron Wendat. These lands are now home to a rich diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. We offer our respect and gratitude to our Indigenous neighbours and affirm our responsibility to realize our commitments to reconciliation through ongoing action. We are guided in this work by Bi-Naagward | It Comes into View, the Indigenous Initiatives Strategy.

The University of Guelph is the third largest employer in Guelph, a city of over 144,000 people, located about an hour drive west of Toronto, Ontario. University of Guelph is a top-ranked comprehensive university in Canada with an enrolment of more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across more than 40 academic units. The University is known for its commitment to student learning, innovative research, and collaboration with world-class partners. It is a unique place, with transformative research and teaching and a distinctive campus culture. People who learn and work here are shaped and inspired by a shared purpose: To Improve Life. Reflecting that shared purpose in every experience connected to our university positions us to create positive change, here and around the world. Our University community shares a profound sense of social responsibility, a drive for international development, and an obligation to address global issues.

Application Process

You must be a current employee of the University of Guelph to apply for this position. SuccessFactors: Career Opportunities (sapsf.com)

Assessment of applications will begin on March 12, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled. Interested applicants should create an account on https://careers.uoguelph.ca/ and apply for the advertised Chair position (Requisition ID #1178) by submitting the following materials (in an integrated Single PDF file):

(1) a cover letter;

(2) a curriculum vitae;

(3) a brief (2-3 page) self-assessment of the skills and experience that they would bring to the position

Applications should be addressed to the attention of:

Uwa Idemudia

Dean

College of Social and Applied Human Sciences

University of Guelph

Guelph, ON N1G 2W1

Questions about this position or the application process may be directed to Uwa Idemudia, Dean, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences at csahsdean@uoguelph.ca

Date Posted: 02/26/2025
Deadline: 03/12/2025 or until a suitable candidate is found.

This position is represented by the University of Guelph Faculty Association (UGFA).

The University of Guelph commits to fostering inclusive excellence through promoting Indigenization, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Inclusion is a core pillar of Our Time, our strategic plan, which pledges to “transform our human resources, governance and student services and practices across the University to enable us to recruit a diverse student, faculty and staff body and support them in achieving their personal, professional and scholarly goals.” The University commits to creating and maintaining “equitable work environments that empower us in our pursuit of student, faculty and staff success, research excellence, innovation and impact.”

The University of Guelph invites applications from all qualified individuals; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. We strongly welcome and encourage applications from members of designated groups in employment, including Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, racialized persons, women, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons.

The University of Guelph recognizes that career paths can be diverse and career interruptions may occur. We encourage applicants to note in their applications whether they would like considerations given to the impact of any circumstances, such as (but not limited to) those due to health and/or family reasons, that may have affected an applicant’s record of achievement. You are not required to disclose these circumstances in the hiring process. If you choose to do so, the University will ensure that these circumstances do not negatively impact the assessment of your qualifications for the position.

The University of Guelph is committed to ensuring all applicants have fair and equitable participation in the hiring process. If you anticipate needing accommodations during the recruitment or selection processes, confidential assistance is available on request by contacting Occupational Health and Wellness at 519-824-4120 x52674. If you have any questions regarding accommodations or accessibility during the hiring process or for more information and support, please visit the University’s Occupational Health and Wellness or contact OHW at ohw@uoguelph.ca.